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David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Benjamin and Julia Stockton Rush papers, bulk 1766-1845 and undated

0.8 Linear Feet 3 boxes, 2 volumes
The Benjamin and Julia Stockton Rush papers include letters, writings, financial records, a few legal documents and one educational record. Benjamin Rush's personal and professional outgoing letters, with some incoming letters, cover a wide variety of topics, but focus primarily on medical concerns, particularly the 1793 and other yellow fever epidemics in Philadelphia, as well as mental illness and its treatment, and the medical department of the Continental Army. There are a few letters from others to Julia Stockton Rush that seek to continue ties with her and the Rush family or offer condolences following Benjamin's death. Collection also contains a medical case book and a fragment of an essay or lecture written by Benjamin Rush, along with his travel diary for a trip to meet with the Board of Trustees for Dickinson College in 178[4]; other writings include Julia Rush's devotional journal and exercise book. The financial records include a few statements and receipts, but primarily contain two account books, one maintained by Benjamin Rush, the other by Rush with his wife. These account books provide a complete picture of the family finances from the period before the couple married, almost to Julia's death. Legal documents include a sworn statement and a land patent, and there is an educational record for one of Rush's students.
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Domestic Account Book belonging to Benj & Julia Rush beginning June 1799, 1799-1828 1 Volumes Volume 2

Contains primarily accounts for individuals the Rush's employed in their household, including various house servants, cooks, coachmen, farmers and gardeners, along with accounts for work completed by washerwomen outside the residence. Individual accounts include the servant's name, followed by notes on pay and payments made, as well as any holds on pay, advances, loans, and pay rate increases. They also indicated when an individual was supplied with shoes or clothing, or had time off to visit the country. In addition, for the majority of the individuals, Benjamin continued his habit of adding a descriptive note when the person left their service, stating the reason for the departure, commenting on the quality of that servant's work, outlining their personal and work habits (especially their drinking habits), whether they married or not, and their race or ethnic background. Includes an incomplete alphabetical index for servant names. There are a few additional household accounts briefly noted, for wood and an umbrella, as well as two receipts, one for taxes and another (laid-in) for bread.

  1. Financial Records, 1766-1828

Household Accounts, 1770-1797 1 Volumes Volume 1

Contains primarily Benjamin Rush's records of his expenses, including tax and bond payments, rental property fees, classes and dance lessons for family members, as well as money lent or advanced, accounts paid, cash received, and income from boarders. Rush noted the wide variety of areas where his money was spent, from postage and travel, to clothing and shoes, to household provisions and stores, along with medicines purchased. In addition, Rush created accounts for servants when they arrived, and noted their wages and any increased wages, advances, or loans; cloth, clothing, and shoes provided; with occasional notes on their personal and work habits and work history, and when they exited his service or married. Several of the comments have been redacted, along with a few pages of the account book. Finally, Rush made a few brief commonplace notes randomly in the volume, providing a "style sheet" for description of pulses, outlining a few prescriptions for patients, describing the weather, listing inventories of his furniture and linens, recording a few recipes, and in 1783, noting the news of possible peace with England.

  1. Financial Records, 1766-1828